Stand up against bullying training course goes to Armenia!

In our societies there are all kinds of minorities, which are not always treated equally. Distinctions are made because of skin color, ethnic background, sexuality, religion. The current refugee/migrant crisis in Europe adds another dimension. Many people fear the arrival of newcomers. People get treated in different ways, without thinking. Usually it is based on stereotypes and prejudices. Therefore, while Europe becomes more cosmopolitan and multi-cultural, people get false opinion of certain people or groups from unchecked media tools, and they tend to commit hate crimes or bias/hate incidents. And when prejudice-motivated adults raise children, they inevitably turn into harsh bullies who cause discomfort and injury to their peers just because they belong to a different ethnicity, language, race, nationality, religion, physical appearance, gender identity or sexual orientation. Today, it is estimated that around 200 million children and young people worldwide are bullied. A very high number, which gives the idea of how much the right to lead a  peaceful childhood and adolescence is in too many cases violated. Bullying is first of all this: the violation of a basic human right. 

Therefore, this problem still requires utmost importance, attention and intervention. And despite many activities were developed over the years, mostly focusing on campaigning and raising awareness for the problem of hate and bullying, there is still a lack of competent educators and youth workers who can deal with youth who has already a victim of hate and bullying. Also, as long as the problem seems unsolved it means there is not enough research done nor any effective projects to promote anti-bullying well enough. 

For these reasons, YEU developed the training course “Stand up against bullying now!” That will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, with the support of YEU member organisation Armenian Progressive Youth - APY, from May 18th to May 25th. The training course aims first of all to get a more developed perspective on the matter, and to consequently deploy activities and raise awareness to fight with every rampant form of bullying… as well as to build the capacities of youth workers and educators to be able to provide support and empower young victims of hate and bullying to fully re-integrate within their peers and communities. 

The project will equip participants with a set of practical competences to provide support and work with young people who have faced hate and bullying and who could be empowered to become multipliers and active stakeholders in the fight against discrimination and for human rights, tolerance and understanding. The main objectives of the TC, that is being currently organised by YEU Administrative Office in collaboration with a great team of YEU PET members (Branislav Trudic, Daniel John Carter, Anthony Burrows) and GB members (Ieva Aleksandraviciute), are:

• To provide space for youth workers and educators to share practices for working with young people who have faced stress, bullying and hate
• To explore different competences and theories for empowerment and re-integration of young people who have been targets/victims of hate and bullying
•  To train educators and youth workers to take an active role in working with, and empowering young people who have been targets/victims of hate and bullying

With this project, not only YEU wants to reinforce its strong commitment towards fostering understanding and solidarity among young people in Europe and beyond, but also to push youth workers and educators to take a step further in their work, providing psychological and mental support, and space for personal growth for the victims/targets of hate and bullying. The project will also produce a final compendium of good practices from different levels on how to work with the victims and targets of hate and bullying, as well as short stories from young people who have experienced this directly. This tangible output will provide insights and support to all those youth organisations and youth work providers ready to get more and more involved in anti-hate and anti-bullying initiatives, both at the local and international level. 

If you want to participate in this training course, you can still apply here (link)! If you feel like you have interesting contents to contribute with, a story to tell, practices to share … contact YEU office!

And stay tuned for news from Armenia :)